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Zoo · Antuérpia, Antuérpia
ZOO Antwerpen
Zoo from 1843 adjacent to Antwerpen-Centraal station, with about 5,000 animals and historic buildings such as the Egyptian temple, the winter garden and the aquarium.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About ZOO Antwerpen
ZOO Antwerpen was founded on July 21, 1843 and is the oldest animal park in Belgium. It is located in the city center, next to Antwerpen-Centraal station, and has been managed since its foundation by the Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, which also oversees Planckendael.
The park brings together about 5,000 animals of nearly one thousand species, including mammals, birds, reptiles and the fish of the aquarium, distributed between outdoor areas and indoor buildings, useful on rainy days.
Part of the appeal is the architecture. The Egyptian temple, from 1856, housed elephants and giraffes for a long time. There is also the antelope building from 1861, the Moorish temple from 1885, the winter garden from 1897, the reptile house from 1901, and the aquarium from 1910. The whole park has been a protected monument since 1983.
At first, the site covered less than 1.6 hectares; in the early years it exceeded 10 hectares. Because of the society that manages it, the park earned the nickname De Zoologie among locals.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From three hours to a full day, especially with children.
Best time
Open year-round. From April to September days are longer and the animals spend more time outdoors. In winter, the indoor buildings and the aquarium support the visit. Confirm opening hours before you go.
How to get there
The entrance is next to Antwerpen-Centraal station, a few steps from the exit. If you arrive by train from Brussels, Mechelen or Ghent you get off at the station itself. From the historic center it is about 1.7 km via the Meir.
Tip
For visitors to Antwerp with children, you can do the zoo and Antwerpen-Centraal station in the same morning. Pair it with Planckendael only if you have an extra day: the two parks are run by the same society but have different profiles.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about ZOO Antwerpen
Is Antwerp Zoo far from the station?
No. The entrance is adjacent to Antwerpen-Centraal station.
How many animals are there in Antwerp Zoo?
About 5,000 animals of nearly one thousand species, across outdoor areas, historic buildings and the aquarium.
How much time should you allow?
At least three hours. With children, many people spend the whole day.